Designing Democracy’s Front Door

This conversation brings together leaders with firsthand experience shaping how the public encounters the White House—digitally and physically. Facilitated by Ashleigh Axios, the discussion will explore how access, symbolism, and stewardship influence trust in democratic institutions, and what continuity and care can look like across moments of change.

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 // 5-7 p.m. // Vital Voices

Designing Democracy's Front Door brings together leaders with firsthand experience shaping how the public encounters the White House digitally and physically. Facilitated by Ashleigh Axios, the discussion will explore how access, symbolism, and stewardship influence trust in democratic institutions, and what continuity and care can look like across moments of change.

Speakers:

- Ashleigh Axios (Moderator)
  Founder & CEO, Public Servants
  Former White House Creative Director

- David Almacy
  Far Post Media
  Former White House internet director under President George W. Bush

- Deesha Dyer
  Founder and President, Hook & Fasten Impact Agency
  Former White House Social Secretary to President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama
  Author, Undiplomatic

Venue: Vital Voices Headquarters, 1509 16th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036. This event will also stream on a live webcast.

Event Details: Join us from 5-6PM for a networking happy hour in the gallery and atrium. Beer, wine, non-alcoholic refreshments, and light snacks will be available. The panel discussion begins promptly at 6PM in the theater.

Ticket Info: In-person and virtual tickets are available. Register with your AIGA login if you are an active member to receive discounted pricing.

About Ashleigh Axios

Ashleigh Axios is a strategic executive, public interest entrepreneur, and international speaker advancing equity through business, healthcare, and civic design. She is the founder and CEO of Public Servants LLC, a public innovation consultancy that partners with civic leaders and communities to co-create systems that serve with integrity and purpose. She also serves as a term trustee on the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), contributing to executive, academic, and communications strategy.

Previously, Axios was an owner and executive at Coforma, a digital consultancy serving government clients. She also led brand and marketing at Automattic, the technology company behind WordPress.com, and served in the Obama White House as Creative Director and Digital Strategist, spanning both terms in the Office of Digital Strategy.

A longtime advocate for design’s role in public good, Axios served two terms as Chair of the Board for AIGA, the professional association for design, and is a past president of AIGA Washington, D.C. There, she founded DotGov Design, an initiative supporting government designers through community events, a conference, and online education.

Axios has been featured in Essence, Print, GDUSA, HOW, and Offscreen magazines. Her honors include being named Co-Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, one of Essence Magazine’s 29 Most Powerful Black Women in the Obama White House, and a multi-time DCFemTech Award recipient. She is a RISD alumna and lives and works in the Washington, D.C. area.

Read more about David Almacy

About Deesha Dyer

Deesha Dyer is a thought leader and expert in helping people rewire the beliefs and perceptions that fuel imposter syndrome, empowering them to live with confidence, freedom, and self-trust. She’s also a philanthropist, award-winning strategist, and author, known for her authentic leadership, community organizing, and transformational work in social impact. As founder and president of agency Hook & Fasten, Dyer transforms how companies approach social impact. She builds purpose-driven partnerships that go beyond traditional corporate giving, strategically leveraging company funds, resources, and products to address authentic community needs. Her approach creates meaningful, sustainable change while helping businesses fulfill their mission to make a difference.

Dyer’s journey is both inspiring and unconventional. At age 31, she was a community college student when she began interning at the White House. She ultimately rose to become White House Social Secretary under President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, one of the most prestigious roles in DC. Committed to advancing equity and opportunity, Dyer curates multiple scholarships supporting Black women in politics, wellness, and animal care, and serves on the board of Humane World for Animals. In 2014, she co-founded beGirl.world Global Scholars, an initiative helping teen girls become global citizens through travel, passport access, and global education.

A vibrant and engaging speaker, Dyer is celebrated for her candid voice on topics including imposter syndrome, leadership, mental health, race, and social justice. In 2019, she was named a Resident Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, where she designed and taught Imposter to Impact - a course that later inspired her acclaimed 2024 memoir, Undiplomatic. The book, praised by Oprah’s Book Club and Michelle Obama, has been hailed as a must-read for institutions seeking transformational leadership and inclusion.

She is a professional speaker and most recently, Dyer led a successful campaign that raised over $25,000 to provide no-cost therapy for unemployed Black women — a testament to her continued commitment to liberation, equity, and healing.